8 "Spicy" Romance Books For The Steamiest Summer Reading In 2025

Where You're Planted by Melanie Sweeney

Where You're Planted will hit shelves on July 8, following a single mom named Tansy Perkins, whose library was damaged in a hurricane. The disaster forces her to relocate her branch to the local botanical gardens. It just so happens that the assistant director, Jack Reid, is also the same man who rescued Tansy and her daughter amidst the flood.

Jack is initially irked by Tansy entering his space, though, because he'd gotten divorced six years ago and sworn off relationships ever since. But, they wind up needing to work together at a spring festival, and their previously professional interactions turn into much more.

32 Days in May by Betty Corrello

Published back in May, this novel by Betty Corrello is everything you want in a rom-com. It centers on Nadia Fabiola, a woman from the Jersey Shore who, following an unexpected lupus diagnosis, wants to take back control over her life.

Still, her sister (and even her rheumatologist) is concerned, which is how Nadia ultimately gets set up with her rheumatologist's cousin, Marco Antoniou. The former actor is undeniably handsome, so despite Nadia's hesitations, they decide to embark on a fling for the month of May.

"Travel from the Jersey Shore to Rome and back in this delightfully funny, beautifully honest exploration of love, intimacy, and vulnerability while living with a chronic illness," per the synopsis.

How to Sell A Romance by Alexa Martin

Teachers are overworked and underpaid. Protagonist Emerson Pierce is all too familiar with this reality as a kindergarten teacher. That's why she decided to start selling makeup for a company called Petunia Lemon to earn a little extra cash.

However, Lucas Miller, an investigative reporter, thinks something more sinister is going on beneath the surface. His own ex-wife had gotten involved with the makeup-selling scheme, wiped out their savings, and left him.

"Now he's a little bitter, a lot single, and determined to expose the company. After infiltrating their largest convention yet, the last thing he expects is to lose sight of his mission for one night with the gorgeous woman at the bar," reads the book's synopsis.

In a real turn of fate, Lucas realizes that Emerson is his daughter's kindergarten teacher, and they wind up joining forces to take down Petunia Lemon. To learn what happens next, pre-order How to Sell A Romance.

Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings

Well, Actually delivers the banter and chemistry that readers have been craving. It chronicles the life of Eva Kitt, who intended to lead a career in journalism but wound up interviewing B-list celebs as the host of Sausage Talk.

"But when Eva's impromptu public callout of her college ex goes viral, she's thrust into the spotlight. It doesn’t help that said ex is Rylie Cooper, a beloved social media personality who has built a platform on deconstructing toxic masculinity and teaching men how to be good partners," per the synopsis.

So, when the pair confront each other during a live Sausage Talk episode, they strike a deal. Rylie will take Eva out on dates to show that he's changed (and share that with his social media following). At first, Eva only agrees to push her career forward, but soon, the romance gets a little too real.

Well, Actually will be released on August 5. In the meantime, you can pre-order it.

August Lane by Regina Black

August Lane combines small-town romance with the important conversation of Black women's representation in country music. It follows former country music star Luke Randall, who gets the opportunity to open for JoJo Lane, a Black country music star he idolized as a kid.

The only issue is that he'd be opening for her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, which is taking place in his old hometown of Arcadia, Kansas.

"Going back means facing a painful past of abuse and neglect. It also means facing JoJo's daughter, August Lane–the woman who wrote the lyrics he's always claimed as his own," the novel's synopsis reads.

Spoiler alert: Luke returns to Arcadia anyway and comes face-to-face with August, who blackmails him. Enemies-to-lovers fans should definitely pre-order August Lane, which will be published on July 29.

Gabriela and His Grace by Liana De La Rosa

For historical drama buffs, Gabriela and His Grace might be more up your alley. Gabriela Luna Valdés is the youngest daughter in her family and desires freedom more than anything. Her dad wants her to find a husband, but she refuses to settle down.

Enter Sebastian Brooks, the Duke of Whitfield, who views a getaway to Mexico as his last chance to deal with his family's estate.

"When Gabby finds herself in need of a hasty escape, Sebastian agrees to assist her, but their close proximity sparks a red-hot passion that could ruin all their plans. With scandal looming, can Sebastian convince Gabby his regard is sincere, or will she sail away with his heart?" per the synopsis.

Gabriela and His Grace will be entering bookstores on August 26. In the meantime, pre-order it.

Isn't It Obvious? by Rachel Runya Katz

Do you love a meet-cute? Well, Isn't It Obvious? sets the stage for a love story that begins with the opposite.

It chronicles the life of a high school librarian named Yael, who has launched a secret podcast. As it starts to gain traction, she needs help managing all the responsibilities in her life, which is why she hires a remote editor named Kevin. However, she wants to keep her podcasting identity anonymous, so they only talk via email, and Kevin just knows her as Elle, her podcast persona.

"Little does Yael know that Kevin, who in real life goes by his middle name, Ravi, is the same man she tore apart for climbing out of her bedroom window after a one-night stand with her roommate, Charlie. And she certainly never expects him to show up to volunteer at her book club," the book's synopsis reads.

So, sparks start flying over email, but what happens when they finally discover each other's true identities? Isn't It Obvious? will be released on October 21 and is available for pre-order.

Fun At Parties by Jamie Harrow

Finally, fans of the former friends-to-lovers trope will have to stay tuned for Fun At Parties, being released on September 16.

Quinn Ray is a celebrity spin instructor who has an outburst at work following a breakup, and her boss forces her to take some time off. So, she decides to go on a cross-country road trip, but what she doesn't expect is her old friend, Nate Reed, to tag along.

"Meanwhile, the internet rallies so strongly behind Quinn post-breakup that her boss orders her to seize the opportunity to rebrand herself as everyone's favorite emblem of fun, empowered singledom," per the synopsis.

This leaves Quinn and Nate navigating a road trip that turns out to be the romantic, fresh chapter she needed all along. You can pre-order Fun At Parties.